NASA administrator Janet Petro talks about the return of two stranded astronauts to Earth on “The Bottom Line.”
NASA astronauts Butch Willmore and Sni Williams have indicated their readiness to fly again aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in the future.
Wilmore, one of the two NASA astronauts who spent over nine months in space instead of the initially planned week, stated he would “take a ride in a heartbeat.”
“Yes, we are going to rectify all the challenges we faced,” he informed journalists at a press briefing on Monday, held approximately two weeks after their return. “We are going to address them. We will ensure it works. Boeing is fully dedicated. NASA is entirely committed. And with that, I’m on my heartbeat.”
NASA astronauts Butch Willmore and Sni Williams have shown they are willing to travel again on Boeing’s Starliner spaceship in the future. (Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo / AFP Getty Images / Getty Images)
Boeing’s Starliner was intended to carry Willmore and Williams to the International Space Station (ISS), approximately 250 miles above Earth in early June last year, with a scheduled return home about a week later.
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The spacecraft encountered several issues as it neared the ISS, prompting NASA and Boeing to return the spacecraft unmanned to Earth in early September and prepare it for Crew 9.
Boeing’s Starliner was supposed to transport Willmore and Williams to the International Space Station (ISS), situated roughly 250 miles above Earth in early June last year, and was intended to return about a week later. (NASA/FOX News)
Williams expressed similar sentiments as Willmore regarding Starliner on Monday.
“I concur,” she stated when asked if they would be open to traveling again on the spacecraft in the future, if presented with the chance.
“Spacecraft are truly capable,” Williams emphasized. “There are a few issues to be resolved as Butch pointed out, and the team is actively addressing them. However, it’s a privilege to have an outstanding spacecraft with numerous advantages over others, and it’s an honor to have it succeed and become part of that program.”
When NASA declared in August 2024 that Starliner would return to Earth without the two astronauts onboard, it cited “helium leaks” and “problems with spacecraft reaction control thrusters.”
SpaceX’s Dragon spaceship was utilized recently to bring Williams and Wilmore back to Earth. The two recorded 286 days in space.
The SpaceX Dragon Capsule will splash down in the US Bay off Florida on Tuesday. (Space/NASA)
NASA mentioned last week that Boeing was “making progress towards crew certification for the CST-100 Starliner system.”
As per NASA, the collaborative team from the Space Agency and Boeing is “working to troubleshoot the Starliner’s systems both internally and externally and gearing up for propulsion system testing in the upcoming months.”
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The two organizations are set to test New Mexico’s “Keystar Liner Thruster,” the agency reported. A new helium system seal option is also under evaluation.
“After you complete these planned test campaigns, you’ll gain a clearer picture of when you can schedule your next Boeing flight,” NASA’s Steve Sitch remarked in a statement. “We will keep collaborating through certifications toward year-end, and then we’ll know where Starliner best integrates into the International Space Station along with its crew and cargo mission timelines.”
